Device for forming metal articles



Dec. 14, 1954 A.-$CHULZ DEVICE FOR FORMING. METAL ARTICLES 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 25, 1952 1N VENT OR AUGUST SCHULZ M+fi -8--ATTORNEY A.-SCHULZ 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR AUGUST SCHULZ Ma'wATTORNEY Dec. 14, 1954 DEVICE FOR FORMING METAL ARTICLES Filed March 25,1952 United States Patent 2,696,780 DEVICE FOR FORMING NIETAL ARTICLESAugust Schulz, Lancaster, Pa., assignor to Armstrong Cork Company,Lancaster, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 25,1952, Serial No. 278,340 6 Claims. (Cl. 101-4) This invention relates toa device for forming metal articles, and more particularly to a devicefor placing a design or other decoration on the top of a metal articlesuch as a screw-threaded metal closure.

In the manufacture of metal articles such as screw closures, it has beencommon practice to place a trademark or other geometric configurationsuch as a dome on the top of the article at the time the blank is diedfrom the metal sheet. In feeding articles of this type to threadingmachines of the rotary type, as disclosed in Merolle Patent No.2,245,042, it was difiicult to prevent marring the design of the blankwhile it was passing through the rotary threader. It has also been foundnecessary to make several alterations to the rotary threader in order toaccommodate closures of this type.

Prior to the development of the present invention, the only way thatmetal articles of this type could be produced without encounteringdifficulties in the rotary threader was to stamp out a conventionalblank in the punch press, and after the threading operation had beencompleted, performing a subsequent stamping operation on a punch pressto place the desired design on the top of the closure. This was atime-consuming operation, inasmuch as the punch presses used for thistype of operation do not operate as rapidly as rotary threaders.

The machine covered by this application has been developed to makepossible the step of placing a design on the top of metal closures afterthey have been removed from the rotary threader so that the standardrotary threaders can be used for threading all types of closures withoutmaking any alterations to the threading machine; and after the threadingoperation, the desired design may be placed on the closure in a machinethat is capable of operating at speeds comparable to those encounteredin rotary threaders.

An object of this invention is to provide a high-speed machine whichwill perform the operation of placing a design on the top of metalarticles such as screw-threaded metal closures.

Other objects and advantages of this machine will become apparent froman observation of the attached drawings, in which Figure 1 is an endelevational view of the machine;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional View showing the machine cut away to showthe various working parts;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view showing the machine in operativeposition upon a metal closure; and

Figure 4 is a detailed view of the means for supplying the metalarticles sequentially to the studs.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a support 2 which may bemounted on the floor or other suitable working surface. This support 2comprises two upright members 3, each of which carries a bearing 4 inthe upper portion thereof. Mounted for rotation in the bearings 4 is acentral shaft 5 which extends the entire length of the machine. Keyed tothe central shaft 5 for rotation therewith is a stud carrier wheel 6which carries a plurality of removable studs 7. The numeral 8 designatesthe key for securing the stud carrier wheel 6 to the shaft 5. Theseremovable studs are held in position in recesses 9 in the stud carrierWheel 6 by means of screws 10. The ends of the studs 7 are provided withrelatively soft rubber tips 11.

The previously-formed screw closures having a perfectly fiat top are fedto the device through a chute 12. Positioned at the bottom of the chuteso that it will engage a closure passing therethrough is a pivoted dog13 (Figures 1 and 4) which pivots about pivot point 14. The dog 13 isurged into position to engage the closure by means of a spring 15. Theclosures have been previously aligned ice so that the open sides thereofare all disposed in the same direction. As the closures are fed insequence down the chute 12, they are removed from engagement with thedog 13 by means of the rubber end 11 of a stud 7 as it is carried aroundby the stud carrier wheel 6. The lower extremity of the chute is curvedso as to bring the open side of the closure into the circular path oftravel of the studs 7. As the stud engages the interior of the closure,it pushes the same against the dog 13, pivoting about pivot point 14 andcompressing spring 15. As soon as the closure has cleared the dog, thespring 15 expands, bringing dog 13 back into position to engage the nextglosure to hold it in position for the next succeeding stud Also keyedto the shaft 5 by means of key 16 is a carrier wheel 17 which carries aplurality of reciprocating plungers 18. Said plungers 18 have removabledies 19 secured to the ends thereof by means of screws 20. The plungers18 are in axial alignment with the studs 7. The entire assemblycomprising the stud carrier wheel 6 and the carrier wheel 17 is mountedin proper spaced relationship on the shaft 5 by means of spacers, one ofwhich is designated by the numeral 21 between the stud carrier wheel 6and the carrier wheel 17. Another spacer 22 is disposed between thecarrier 17 and the bearing 4 at the left-hand end of the shaft 5. Withthis arrangement, the entire assembly is mounted on the shaft 5 andtightened by means of the cap nut 23 at the right-hand end of the shaft.This keeps the rotating elements 6 and 17 in proper spaced relationshipduring constant operation, and also the keys 8 and 16 will keep thestuds 7 and the plungers 18 in proper alignment.

Reciprocatory movement is imparted to the plungers 18 by means of camfollowers 24 attached to the rear of plungers 18. These cam followers 24engage a cam track 25 in a stationary cam 26 which is secured to theupright members 3 by means of screws 27. The plungers 18 are heldagainst rotary movement by means of a key 28 which slides in a groove 29in the plunger as the plunger reciprocates. This key 28 permits theplunger to move in a horizontal direction but prevents rotary motion ofthe plunger. Such rotary motion is undesirable, as it would tend toremove the cam follower 24 from its proper engagement with the camsurface on the cam 26.

The die 19 attached to the plunger 18 carries the proper design for thetop of the metal cap. This might be a plain dome or any desireddecorative design. In certain instances it may be found desirable toperforate the metal cap; for example, in making shaker tops. Thismachine can be used for this operation; however, in so doing it isnecessary to provide the stud 7 with suitable holes for the removal ofslugs punched by the die 19. This is possible, however, withoutrequiring a major alteration to the machine.

The cam track 25 is so contoured that immediately after the closure isplaced on the rubber tip 11 of the stud 7, the cam will move the plunger18 toward the stud 7 and compress the metal cap between the die 19 andthe rubber tip 11. At this point of compression, a second cam 30 shownin Figures 1 and 3 engages a second cam roller 31 located on the rear ofthe plunger 18. The purpose of this cam 30 is to place a direct axialthrust on the plunger 18 in order to relieve any shearing action on thecam roller 24. The cam 30 is contoured so as to force the plunger 18toward the stud 7. Located on the outside of the stud carrier wheel 6 isa circular bearing ring 32 which engages a beveled roller 33 mounted forrotary movement on the bracket 3 on the right-hand side of the machine.The roller 33 is so positioned that it engages the ring 32 at the samepoint at which the cam 30 exerts the maximum thrust on plunger 18. Thismechanism exerts the greatest pressure on the metal article shown at 39and forms the desired design. The exact amount of movement of theplunger may be adjusted by means of suitable shims 34 between the cam 30and the bracket 3.

Immediately after the dieing operation has been performed, the roller 31moves off the cam 30 and the cam track 25 withdraws the plunger 18 fromthe exterior of the metal article and the article is free to be removedfrom the stud 7 and directed into a second chute 35, which directs thearticles away from the studs 7 onto a suitable conveyor.- 'lhestuds7continuein their. circulanpath-ofn' Rotary motion is imparted to themachine from a motor.

or other suitable source of power and shown at 36 through a gear 37which engages gear teeth 38 on-theouter-periphery of the stud carrierwheel 6. Since the studcarrier-r wheel 6 and the carrier wheel 17 areboth keyed to the.

shaft 5, rotarymotion imparted by the stud carrier wheel 6 also rotatesthe carrier 17 and the plungers .and'studs will always be in properaxial alignment.

Inthe operationof this device, the closures are supplied to the chute 12in proper alignment with their open sides to the right, asviewed inFigure 2. Rotary motion is imparted to the machine by means of the motor'36 through gear 37 to teeth38 on the stud carrier wheel 6. The machinerotates in the directionof the arrow shown in Figure 1. the inner areaof the closure held by the dog13 atthe bottom of chute 12 and carriesthe closure past the dog against the compression of spring 15. Theclosure remains on the stud 7 and immediately after leaving the end ofthe chute, the plunger 18 carried by the carrier wheel 1'7 is moved intoengagement with the closure carried by the stud 7 compressing theclosure between the die on the end of the plunger 18 and the rubber tip11 of the stud 7. The final forming pressure is exerted by means of asecond cam follower 31 which engages a cam 30 exerting a direct axialthrust on the plunger. At the same point at which the axial thrust isexerted on the plunger, the stud carrier wheel 6 is backed up by meansof a roller 33 engaging a circular ring 32 mounted on the stud carrierwheel 6. Immediately after this formation step, the cam follower 31moves off the cam 30 and cam follower 24 withdraws the plunger from itsengagement with the metal article and the same is free to drop fromthestud7 ontoa suitable conveyor.

I claim:

1. A device for forming metal articles, the elements? comprising arotatable shaft mounted in a fixed support,

a stud carrier wheel mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, astud on said wheel to carrythe metal article to be formed, a secondcarrier wheel mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a plungermounted in saidsecond carrier wheel for reciprocatory movement thereinon an axis parallel to the rotary axis of said carrier wheel, a diepositioned on said plunger, said .die and said stud being in axialalignment during the entire cycle of rta'- tion of the twocarriers, astationary cam mounted on said support and surrounding said shaft, a camfollower on said plunger to engage said stationary cam to urge said dieinto engagement with said metal article carried by said stud and towithdraw said die from engagement with'the. metal article, means forsupplying ametal-article togbe' formed to the stud, and means forimparting-rotary motion to said shaft.

2. A device forforming metal articles, theelements comprising arotatable shaft mounted-in a fixed support,

a stud carrier. wheel mounted on'said shaft for rotation therewith, aplurality of studs mounted on' said wheel tocarry the metal articles tobe formed, a-second-carrier wheel mounted on said shaft for rotationtherewith, a;

urge said die into engagement. .with said metal article carried by saidstud and to withdraw said die from engagement with the metal article,means for. supplyingmetal articles to be formed to the studs, and meansforimparting rotary motion to-said shaft.

3. A device for forming metal articles, the elements comprising arotatable shaft mounted in a fixed support, a stud carrier wheel mountedon said shaft for rotation therewith, a stud on said wheel to carrythemetal'article to be formed, a second carrier wheel mounted on said shaftfor rotation therewith, a plunger mounted-'in'said' secondcarrier=wheelfor reciprocatory movementtherein As themachine rotates,the studs 7 engageon an axis parallel to the rotary axis of said carrierwheel, a..die.spositioned .on.saidplunger, said die and said stud beingin axial alignment during the entire cycle of rotation of the twocarriers, a stationary cam mounted on said support and surrounding saidshaft, a second cam mounted on said support, a plurality of camfollowers on said plunger to engage said stationary cams to urge saiddie into engagement withsaid metal article carried by said-stud and-towithdraw said die from engagement with the metal article,.means forsupplying the metal article to be formed to the stud, and means forimparting rotary motion to said shaft.

4. A'device'for-forming metal articles, the elements comprising arotatable shaft mounted in a fixed support, a stud carrier wheel mountedon said shaft for rotation therewithpa stud-on said wheel to carry themetal article to beformed, a bearing ring mounted on said carrier WhGL-a pressure-exerting roller mounted on said fixed support for engagementwith the bearing ring, a second carrier wheel mounted on said shaft forrotation therewith, a plunger mounted in said second carrier wheel forreciprocatory movement therein on an axis parallel to the rotary axis ofsaid carrier wheel, a die positioned on said plunger, said die and saidstud being in axial alignment, a cam follower onsaid plunger, astationary cam mounted on said support and surrounding said shaft, saidcam beingof a'contour to impart reciprocatory motion to said plungerthrough said cam follower, a second stationary cam mounted on saidsupport to engage a second cam follower on saidplunger at the same pointin its path of rotationat which said bearing roller engages the bearingring, means for supplying the metal article to be formed to thestud, andmeans for imparting rotary motion to said shaft.

5. A device for forming metal articles, the elements comprising arotatable shaft mounted in a fixed support, astud carrier wheelwmountedon said shaft for rotation therewith,.a stud'on said wheel to carry themetal article tobe formed, a second carrier wheel mounted on said shaftfor rotation therewith,.a plunger mounted in said carrier Wheelforreciprocatory movement therein on an axis parallel to the rotary axisofsaid carrier wheel, said plunger being keyed to said carrier wheel toprevent rotary movement therein and to allow reciprocatory movementtherein, .a die positioned on said plunger, said die and said studbeingin axial alignment during the entire cycle of rotation of the twocarriers, a stationary cam mounted on said support andsurrounding saidshaft, a cam follower on saidplunger to engage said stationary cam tourge said die into engagement with said ietal article carried by saidstudandto withdraw said'die from engagement with the metabarticle, meansfor supplying the metal article to be formed to the stud, and means forimparting rotary motion to said shaft.

6.. A device forforming metal articles, the elements comprising arotatable shaft mounted ina fixed support, a stud carrier wheel mountedon said shaft for rotation therewith, a stud on said wheel to'carry themetal article to be formed, a second rcarrier wheel mounted on saidshaft for rotation therewith, a plunger. mounted in saidsecond-carrierwheel for reciprocatory movement therein on an axisparallel to the rotary axis of said carrier wheel,

a die-positioned on/said plunger, said die and said stud being in axialalignment during the entire cycle of rotatiorrof the two carriers, astationary cam mounted on said support and-surrounding said shaft, a camfollower on said plunger to enga e said stationary cam to urge said dieintoengagementwith said metal article carried bv said studand towithdraw said die from engagement with the metal article, .a chute tosupply the metal article to be formed tothe stud and a second chute forreceiving the formedarticle from the stud, and means for impartingrotary motion to said shaft.

References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,429,944 Hauser Sept. 26, 1922 1,723,785 Johnson Aug. 6, 19292,184,510 Adams": Dec. 26, 1939 2,201,924 Schmitt' May 21, 19402,369,871" Trollen Feb. 20, 1945 2,425,374 Kagley'; Aug. 12, 1947231293196 Sutte'r Oct. 21, 1947

